SNSE Weblog

I feel like I should break this out into more than one post but there is just so much going on, there's hardly time to breathe! Phone system is finally coming together. We are upgrading our entire phone system so we've got the opportunity to streamline the visitor experience of SNSE audio. Dial in and enter a 3 digit code. It's that simple. We are using an xml backend so it will be very easy to update and change as SNSE evolves. Also, Formative evaluation is underway. SNSE signage testing occurred this weekend at the Maryland Science Center. We'll get the report back next week and then we can finalize our signage for opening. A few more things to comment on... Rutgers is working on securing focus groups with teenagers. Onomy is installing their Times Square of Science and Technology exhibit as part of Breakthroughs - which will have several integrates SNSE spots. We just got some bids in for the SNSE reader rails that will hold instructional information for guests. The 2D designer is working through some SNSE logo designs. Verizon installed their repeater last week and we are waiting for the bid to come back for cellular repeaters to strengthen all other cell signals in the buildings...

Posted by Denise at 08:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Getting funding for the SNSE project was not easy. I felt like I needed to go out of my way to explain how the cell phone was more than just a device to make phone calls. It was like people didn't even know about texting - despite the fact that it's been available on cell phones for a number of years. Now I see that even the Hillary campaign has embraced text messages. According to the website, you can get updates on your cell phone by texting the word "join" to 77007. I actually found a pretty interesting breakdown of what they did and didn't do well (which I am hoping we can learn from). The article brought to light things like being MMA compliant. The MMA is the Mobile Marketing Association. I had no idea there was a body that oversaw mobile marketing let alone rules for being compliant! I am glad I found the information though, because I am trying to determine how to write the graphic panels and the information on our website about SNSE. I want to stay in line with things people are already accustomed to. Seems like I should check out the MMA and see what we need to do to be compliant. SNSE is not a mobile marketing campaign - we are a mobile learning campaign - but seeing as how people are becoming accustomed to mobile marketing, there is probably something to be learned from it.

Posted by Denise at 11:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Given that visitors in our science center have had signal troubles before, we knew we'd have to spend money on cellular repeaters. We just got an initial estimate this morning which was much higher than we thought it would be. Needless to say, we are looking into options to bring the cost down (donations, using repeaters only in essential areas of the building).. but I just wanted to post this as a warning to other not-profit learning institutions... assess your need for cellular repeaters early and work it into your budget, this is not an insignificant cost. I'll let you know how we resolve it.

Posted by Denise at 03:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

While this site isn't doing a cameraphone challenge - like we are - it's still a weekly photo challenge and has been going on for years. Each Friday they post the theme for the week. Hence the name, Photo Friday. As a participant, you take your own photo and upload it to a static webpage. Photo Friday doesn't collect the actual photo submissions - just links to them. The participants vote on each other's photos.

Posted by Denise at 03:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I just realized that one of the most iconic experiences in the Communication gallery is not a SNSE spot. Actually, two of the most iconic experiences are not associated with SNSE. I don't know why it never came up but it seems to make sense to marry SNSE with our Graffiti Wall and Language Karaoke experiences. At the Graffiti Wall, you can archive your work to a nearby touchscreen kiosk. I am guessing that people would love to have their "tag" on their phone too! I can't believe we overlooked this one. Once we figure out how to get a picture onto a phone from a kiosk station - then we should add that functionality to the Graffiti Kiosk. Also, once we figure out how to get video to people's phones - we should send them a "lite" version of their Language Karaoke video experience - which would be a fabulous add-on at the Language Karaoke station! Anyway... this blog just seemed like the right place to capture these thoughts.

Posted by Denise at 10:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I am such a fan of the Pew Internet and American Life Project. I love their reports... here's the latest..."A Typology of Information and Communication Technology Users"

Posted by Denise at 07:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

In yesterday's NY Times that was an articled titled, "Cellphones Tailored for Any Organization" by Louise Story. The focus of the article was this new start-up company called Sonopia. Check out this excerpt from the article:

For decades, consumers have been able to choose a credit card based on its affiliation with a particular group — a college alumni association, for example, a sports team or a retailer that offers reward points. Now a start-up company called Sonopia is trying to apply the same concept to the cellphone market...[Sonopia] is positioning its phones as a tool for companies and nonprofit groups that want to distribute news and entertainment to their customers and loyalists.

Posted by Denise at 08:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)